By the time the sun was no longer visible and the meeting was long over, Itachi contemplated the reflection of the moon in the Uchiha District's lake. While very similar to Hinata's Byakugan, she did not have the frostiness of the moon nor did she appear to be as isolated. Certainly not if the rumors about her setting up a councilman's cruel son with the help of Hyūga Tokuma were true.

While Itachi never ventured to ask, he had the inkling that it truly was a setup. Whether it was orchestrated by Tokuma or Hinata herself was up for debate, but her deduction earlier that week made him conclude that it was Hinata's idea. While she rarely pulled moves like that one, she loved her supporters enough to put down a threat to them. She was shrewd enough to take into consideration her lack of experience on the field and use a respected champion as her proxy for the Kettō.

It would be perfectly normal for her or Sasuke to realize that he was aiming for the nobility's attention, the jump to nobility from the capital was very different. It wasn't a tactic used by any current member of the Grand Council because while the Daimyo was respected as the descendant of a deity, Konoha was too autonomous for capital influence to hold much weight under most circumstances.

It simply was not the type of deduction a person could make with as limited information as Hinata had when she reached the correct conclusion. If she ever decided to enter the political arena with the solemnity that her status carried, she could become a figure to be wary of.

Alliance or not, she was not obligated to blindly back him up. Would she approve of upping the graduation age requirement? Would she feel comfortable enough to delegate important jobs to his family in spite of the rumors? She was friendly with him and Sasuke, but… who knew what things others whispered in her ears.

"You look like the auntie used salt instead of sugar for your desserts."

Itachi scoffed. "That was a terribly executed prank."

"I think it was brilliant."

"Of course you do," he muttered, shaking away the phantom taste. It was a massive breach in trust to mess with someone else's sugar. "How did your mission go?"

"Of course it went well," he mimicked Itachi's formal syntax. "Now, what's on your mind— and don't say it's nothing. You'll end up like Sasuke one of these days, obsessing over a topic that eludes you."

Itachi glanced at Shisui before returning his gaze to the reflection of the moon. "I was thinking about Hinata-sama. I may understand why Hiashi-sama refuses to disinherit her."

Shisui whistled to himself before turning to Itachi. Rather than an easygoing expression, Shisui wore a seriousness that could only be the start of a joke at Itachi's expense or the prelude of a grave conversion. "You know that I'm all for your happiness, right?" Itachi silently nodded, wondering in which direction the seemingly irrelevant comment would take the conversation. "While I'd usually support your endeavors, don't you think that Hinata-chan is a little too young for you?"

"Don't be ridiculous." Itachi shot him a withering stare as he cackled, taking a seat beside him on the dock. "I would never try such a thing."

Between fits of laughter Shisui continued his barrage of questions. "Then what's this about her not being disinherited?"

"I have always thought it strange that Hinata-sama has not been disinherited in spite of her… laissez-faire stance in both Hyūga and Konoha affairs. She has a place in the Minor Council and yet she never showed up to the induction ceremony."

"The Minor Council…" Shisui hummed to himself before snapping his fingers. "Ah, isn't that where the heirs of majors clans are placed, to discuss… stuff."

"We take care of minor local issues."

"Why does it matter?"

"It matters," Itachi muttered, "because she is a quick thinker. Hiashi-sama won't depose her— not due to favoritism— but rather, she is his best shot at abolishing their hierarchy."

Shisui glanced at Itachi and followed his gaze to the surface of the lake. It was said that the Byakugan was a gift from the moon and that the Sharingan derived from the Byakugan. "Hinata-chan is a good kid, she won't become a threat to us."

"I never said that."

"You were thinking about it."

Itachi sighed. "She is Sasuke's friend, but if she ever plays an active role in any council… I want Hinata-sama to be on our side."

Shisui felt the vague sense of wanting to slap a hand to his face. For someone so brilliant, it was apparently incredibly difficult for Itachi to acknowledge the true issue (which wasn't an issue) at hand. "So, to summarize this whole dilemma, you feel unsettled about the sudden revelation of her political savviness." Itachi only offered a non-committal hum. "The kid was raised to lead a noble clan, just like you. I'd be surprised if she wasn't well educated in those matters… the issue here is your reluctance to address her as a potential threat."

"Would it be wrong of me to continue offering my friendship?" Itachi murmured. "She has been a good friend to Sasuke, without ulterior motives, and I would be repaying her transparency by seeking her favor if she could ever offer it."

"Then tell Hinata-chan you want her to throw her title in your favor," he said, waving a hand nonchalantly. "Offer to return the favor."

Up next: potential war and worldview differences